Lascelles 'Las' May, The Gleaner's editorial cartoonist (left) and The Observer's Clovis Brown display their Dutch wooden shoes, which they received along with plaques from the Netherlands Embassy. They were at the Netherlands National Day celebration on the Devon House East Lawn, Kingston. - Winston SillBy Sonia Morgan,
Staff Reporter
GLEANER CARTOONIST Lascelles 'Las' May and Observer's Clovis Brown were honoured with the Dutch Wooden Shoe Award 2001 at the Netherlands National Day on Monday.
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke, presented plaques to both men, while Ambassador of the Netherlands, Erik Klipp, handed over the Wooden Shoes.
"Can they fit! the Ambassador joked.
Easels with the best works from both editorial cartoonists were set up on the verandah of the Devon House Great House. A function to mark the Netherlands National Day and the presentation of the awards was held at the Devon House East Lawns.
Ambassador Klipp said: "Now everyone has his/her own selective interest and taste when it comes to digesting the news brought to us daily by The Gleaner and The Observer: some get stuck on the front of page or only read the editorials...My personal favourites are the cartoons.
"A good cartoon captures with one presentation the essence of the headlines of the day: sometimes ironic other times sarcastic, but without malice, always simple, humorous and mildly satirical."
Ambassador Klipp added that cartoons were "the refined expressions of freedom of the press and freedom of expression was a pillar of democracy."
He lauded the cartoonists for their witty minds and creativity.
"Thank you for bringing a smile to my face at breakfast time!" the Ambassador said.
Las May has been a cartoonist with The Gleaner Company since 1989 and has won four Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) awards.
In celebration of the Netherlands National Day, guests got red carpet treatment and were presented with glasses of champagne on arrival.
The East Lawns of the Devon House Great House on Hope Road was transformed into a tasteful cocktail area for the event to mark the birthday of the Queen of Netherlands, which is celebrated on April 30.
Red, white and blue were incorporated with orange, the national colour and Mrs. Klipp looked stunning in her orange cocktail dress.
Ambassador Klipp announced that he and his wife would be leaving Jamaica in June, having completed a four-and-a-half-year tour of duty in Jamaica. And he said that although it was not yet official, he would remain in the region.
Brazilian Ambassador Sergio Arruda and wife Geo, who will be also be ending their tour of duty in Jamaica soon, were seen mingling with their fellow diplomats.
